"As a Korean-American, I feel honored and rewarded to bring Korean culture here," said Dukhyun Cho, principal of the Monterey Korean School in Marina.

The Mon Sori percussionists, a group of local people with Korean heritage, were just one of many attractions at the Feast of Lanterns, which drew more than 1,000 people by 2 p.m.

Although the lantern-adorned vessels and fireworks gathered bigger crowds later in the day, afternoon crowds could not seem to stay away from the Chinese-inspired event.

Music constantly played as the smell of burnt food filled the air, children ran in the water and made sandcastles, impromptu volleyball games were constant, inflatable bounce houses wore out the kids and a bashful sun kept the temperature around 65 degrees.

"The nice thing is the whole city does something," said Virginia Coleman, a longtime volunteer.

The event was first held in 1905 but did not become an annual festival until 1957. Coleman said she and her husband understand the appeal, having been involved since 1985.

"Look at this area. It's gorgeous," she said. "God made it this way."

Way before the fireworks, people were marking their territory on the beach. Blankets and tarps lined nearly every inch of the sandy spot.

Gina and Barry Gregory of Santa Cruz, who were in town house-sitting, came out to the beach at 8 p.m. Friday and said they "got lucky" when they found a spot barely big enough for both of them.

Rich Lewis of Tulare was situated on a blue tarp only feet from the ocean. He said he got there at 1:30 p.m. Saturday with his wife, 6-year-old son and 15-month-old daughter, Koeli. He said they planned to stay straight through until the fireworks.

"She likes the music," Lewis said of Koeli, who seemed to be having a better time than just about everyone there.

The event was special for the Mon Sori drumming group for different reasons.

Son Hee, 24, of Pacific Grove, said events like this help the Korean community come together in an increasingly hectic world.

"Everyone gets busy," she said. "We're not all conveniently in one place."

Hee, who was born in the United States, drummed alongside her Korean mother and other immigrants.

Cho said they got the gig after he met organizers last year as his daughter participated in the Royal Court. The scholarship program selects young women who excel in academics, community service and extracurricular activities.

He said the traditional samulnori style of percussion originated with farmers but played a significant role during pro-democracy demonstrations in South Korea in the 1970s.